I can't believe all this Palin crap has got 3 new threads and 150+ total posts, But Sir Croft's interview has only 21! What a cool article. PC is a really inspirational climber; and the tales of his exploits and boundless enthusiasm for the sport are the stuff of legend.

I love his quote, "how can this much fun not cost anything and not be illegal." I've wondered the same thing on my simple little cragging days. I can't imagine doing those crazy long days and monster link-ups. What a hoot!

I also love the story of how after he soloed the Rostrum the first time, he returned the following morning to do it AGAIN because on his first burn he put his hand through the sling for that one smear move, and he said it just didn't feel right. Talk about some lofty ethics!

Got to agree that this is the kind of thread I go to SuperTopo for (not the raging "is to" "is not" "yeah huh" us vs. them threads). These are the ones that inspire and lift us up. In that spirit, here's a pic that transports me to sun warmed rock high up in Tuolumne with a fellow climber that was, and always seems to be, so enthusiastic about every little thing having to do with mountains and climbing. Good day, it was.

He represents the best of what climbing can be. Went to his slideshow years ago and was throughly inspired eventhough his accomplishments are way beyond my imagining... Still, he has this infectious love for climbing and relates this passion in a down-to-earth, meaningful way. I remember him talking about how great it is to be like a kid playing all day outdoors, balanced with seriousness regarding risk and scrupulous honesty for purity of ethic. Definitely an undersung hero.